Who is going to want Lindros in the offseason? No one does not want to sign a player who can barely stay healthy, knowing his length history of concussions, and a hefty contract. The only team that would want him are the Ranger$.

With Lindros biting the dust, and Joe Nieuwendyk’s chronic back problems, the Leafs are really in need of a centreman who can make an impact, and stay healthy.

I think that Jeff O’Neill is the answer for the Leafs. He’s got a similar mentality to Owen Nolan and Gary Roberts, in regards to his style of play, and would fit in well with Toronto’s locker room.

As far as that elusive 5th defenceman, I would have to say that Ruslan Salei in Anaheim would be a great fit in the Toronto line-up. Nasty and tough…and could play a few years after a lockout haha! Seriously though, he’s the type of crease clearing, punishing D-man the Leafs need to back up Leetch and McCabe.

with niewy and his back problems, it makes sense for the leafs to go after a number 2 center just for in case. i think holik will be a leaf before the trade deadline. 3 years left at 9 million will turn off alot of teams, especially the CBA cautious leafs but if they nyr are willing to eat part of the salary, the leafs can land that solid 2 way, 2nd line center they need. dont forget, quinn tried hard to land him in 2002 as a UFA and now can be their chance to get him at perhaps 5 million a year.

I would bet my life on Holik staying exactly where he is, along with Jagr, simply because of their contracts. Although I agree he would fit the leafs nicely, he is a very solid shadow player that could be used very effectively against another teams big center, if he is in the right system. He has been terribley ineffective on the rangers due to the fact that their system of play does not call for a player cut from a mold like Holik. However, due to his contract he will not be moved anywhere.

That being said, the leafs could certainly use another center, but not necessarily an offensive threat like Jeff Oneil. Perhaps a large body that could be used to ‘shadow’ a key opponent. The leafs have proven to be largely ineffective against the flyers due to the fact they cannot shut down Kieth Primeau (among others). When the leafs were succesfull against them, Corsen was assigned to shadow Primeau and successfully eliminated him from the game. And although Quinn is not one for line matching, a player of that stature could prove vital should these two teams meet in the playoffs..

The question therefore remains,”Who out there would fit this description?”…Not many guys…now that Lindros is off the table, but a player who comes to mind is Chris Gratton. A once highly touted player, selected 3rd overall in the 1993 draft by the Lightening, he drew early comparisons to Cam Neely. He has clearly fallen short of that lofty comparison, but at 6’4 221 lbs he is certainly an intimidating presence and given the right assignments, could represent an effective defensive player.

Given the coyote’s current positional standing, they would certainly be open to fielding offers for this player who is no stranger to the trade block.

u know wut? i think lindros and leafs are just not meant to be together. two years ago same thing. everyone was so hyped up about it, and some shop in eaton centre even had his jersey out…and then? lindros traded to rangers. now this. yeah, leafs had the chance to get him, but then he injuried himself.

sometimes, something just aren’t meant to be together. like affleck and j-lo.

I would love to see Holik in a leafs jersey but his salary will make him stay put in NY. Gratton would be a good pick-up for his size on the 3rd line but anything can happen. I don’t think we’ll see O’neill in a leafs jersey either because TO would have to pay dearly to get him (practically the whole youth core).

YES!!! RETIRE OLD FAG!!! THE NHL DOESN”T NEED SOMEONE LIKE YOU!!!! Your brain is HALF MUSH by now!!!! You cant play hockey either, you should of signed up for acting school like you do every game you play to be out for the rest of the season… RETIRE!!!!!

god please don’t start with this crap. the rangers aren’t trading holik. for starters there would be wild speculation about it, as well as a SERIOUS bidding war. the only names on that roster that you haven’t heard a word about getting traded are holik and jagr… they aren’t moving, not to toronto, not to anywhere. if you want to rebuild a team the best place to start is a strong 2 way center…. what is holik?

I also think this sucks. I think he could’ve helped the leafs. I still think he will sign on with the leafs in the offseason taking a big pay cut. I don’t think it’s the money that matters to Eric. He probably just wants to wear the blue and white before he retires.

I think TC has the right idea, Cassels would be a better fit. Leafs need a set up man, they have a few finishers already. O’niel is a roberts/nolan type. They need something other than a banger and crasher to help out the other bangers and crashers.

Besides – I am thinking that Vancouver or San Jose will be the recipient of O’neill, both of whom have been relatively quiet on the trade front.

This just goes to show that you can’t start a hockey discussion without it turning into a Leafs discussion. I bet at Herb Brooks’ wake there was a small cluster of people discussing Maple Leaf trade rumors and sketching out defensive pairings.

I have nothing at all against the Maple Leafs, and I wish them all the best, unless of course they face the Bruins in the playoffs. I just find it frustrating that it’s easier for an alcoholic to stay sober than it is for a Maple Leaf fan to stay on topic. (panting) heh…heh…heh…heh…heh…Ok, I’m better now.

Cassels would be a good fit, but I think that MacLean is going to ask too much for him as he is currently the Jackets 1st line center and still under contract next year. MacLean did however say he was listening to all offers though.

http://www.MapleLeafTradeRumors.com: I believe this would be the cure to the confusion that other readers may be having that there only one team apparently in the whole NHL. Every player wants to play for the Leafs because they are guaranteed to win the cup. And every player is going to the Leafs inlcuding a player who has not even been whispered in trade rumors a 9 million doller player that the rangers can build a team around. But no he’s going to be a leaf. But then again it doesnt matterI dont think anyone has a chance at beating the Wings so all this beefing up will only make the Wings or the Ave’s winning more embarrasing. No Leafs No

I don’t know what the timeline is on Nieuwendyk’s return, but the Leafs need to focus on upgrading their defense. Even without Nieuwendyk, their forward lineup is just fine. They have plenty of bodies they can move up and shuffle around to make up for Nieuwendyk’s absense. They need to be thinking D.